Top End Bus Drivers are set to go on strike, as their campaign for improved safety standards ramps up.
The Transport Workers Union are asking for a new enterprise agreement after the last expired in June.
They are also calling for better work conditions including improved penalty rates on weekends as well as safety improvements.
They say assaults, verbal abuse and penalty rates among the sticking point for workers.
The strike is set to take place next Monday with all urban bus routes not operating.
Special needs and school runs are still expected to operate as normal.
TWU SA/NT Northern Territory Branch Secretary Sam McIntosh says strike action was a last resort, but necessary.
“Strike action is always a last resort. It’s extremely disappointing that it has come to this but our
members have been more than patient in their attempts to secure a fair agreement that would
bring them in line with industry standards.”
“TWU members will be on strike for 24 hours though will ensure that school and special needs
runs continue to operate. Let’s be clear: this campaign is vitally important and we will be forced
to take further action if an improved offer that reflects industry standards isn’t put forward.
Drivers and our community want to see this resolved so that we have a safer, fairer and better
bus network,” he says.
